Skirt system for machine and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A compacting machine is provided. The compacting machine includes a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface. The compacting machine also includes a heat retention system having a lower boundary. The compacting machine further includes an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member. The adjustment system includes a first position and a second position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a skirt system for a machine, and more specifically to a skirt system for a compacting machine and a method of controlling a skirt member of the skirt system.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as compacting machines, are used for performing compaction of asphalt surfaces. Such machines contain compacting members which may be wheels or drums. Additionally, the machines may be provided with one or more skirts. The skirts are provided around the compacting member, thereby enclosing the wheels or drums therein. During the compaction process, the skirts retain heat within the enclosed area around the compacting member and may reduce sticking of asphalt to surfaces of the compacting member.

However, during transportation of the machine and/or maintenance purposes, the skirt may be required to be disassembled or rolled up to prevent damage to the skirt and/or provide access to components within the skirt. This process of disassembling or rolling the skirt is laborious and time consuming leading to overall reduction in productivity of the machine.

CN Published Application Number 102587264, hereinafter referred to as the '264 Application, discloses a bituminous pavement vacuum road roller and a pavement compaction method. The vacuum road roller includes a road roller, a control panel arranged in a cab, and a vacuum chamber positioned between a front wheel and a rear wheel The vacuum chamber is arranged under a rack through a vacuum chamber lifting cylinder The vacuum chamber includes a vacuum chamber bracket, an upper sealing ring and a lower sealing ring. The vacuum chamber bracket is a hollow cuboid with an opened bottom. Front and rear ends of the vacuum chamber bracket are both connected with the rack through the vacuum chamber lifting cylinder. A lower edge of the vacuum chamber bracket is connected with the upper sealing ring, and the lower edge of the upper sealing ring is connected with the lower sealing ring. A rolling wheel is arranged in the vacuum chamber. A rolling wheel bracket is connected with an adjusting cylinder arranged on the vacuum chamber through a connecting rod of a top plate of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is connected with a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is fixed on the rack. A bituminous pavement is compacted under a vacuum condition, so that the deformation efficiency of the rolled asphalt pavement is improved, manpower and material resources are saved, and the productivity is remarkably increased.

However, the vacuum road roller and associated components disclosed in the '264 Application have a relatively higher number of elements with a complex working mechanism. Hence, there is a need for an improved compacting system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a compacting machine is provided. The compacting machine includes a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface. The compacting machine also includes a heat retention system having a lower boundary. The compacting machine further includes an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member. The adjustment system includes a first position and a second position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a compacting machine is provided. The compacting machine includes a frame. The compacting machine includes a compacting member coupled to the frame. The compacting machine also includes a skirt member pivotally coupled to the frame. The skirt member is configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein. The compacting machine further includes a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine and operatively coupled to the skirt member. The linear actuator is configured to raise or lower the skirt member relative to the frame of the compacting machine based on an user input.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a skirt member of a compacting machine is provided. The skirt member is pivotally coupled to a frame of the compacting machine. The skirt member is configured to at least partially enclose a compacting member of the compacting machine in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein. The method includes receiving an user input. The method includes communicating the user input to a controller. The method also includes regulating via the controller a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine based on the user input. The method further includes pivoting the skirt member via the linear actuator relative to the frame of the compacting machine.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary compacting machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view of the skirt system provided on the compacting machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the skirt system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary compacting machine 100 is illustrated, in this case a pneumatic compactor. Additionally, the compacting machine 100 may be any machine known in the art, such as a soil compactor, an asphalt compactor, a utility compactor, a landfill compactor, and so on. The compacting machine 100 is configured to compact a ground surface 201 (shown in FIG. 2) or an asphalt surface 201 or a compacting surface 201 by providing one or more passes while compacting the ground surface 201.

The compacting machine 100 includes a frame 102 or a chassis 102. The frame 102 is configured to support and/or mount thereon one or more components of the compacting machine 100. The compacting machine 100 includes an enclosure 104 provided on the frame 102. The enclosure 104 is configured to house a power source (not shown). The power source may be any power source known in the art including, but not limited to, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and so on, or a combination thereof. The power source is configured to provide power to the compacting machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements.

The compacting machine 100 includes an operator cabin 106 provided on the frame 102. The operator cabin 106 may include one or more control devices (not shown) such as a joystick, a steering wheel, pedals, levers, buttons, switches, and so on. The control device is configured to enable an operator to control the compacting machine 100 on the ground surface 201 as per operational requirements. The operator cabin 106 may also include an operator interface (not shown) such as, a display device, a sound source, a light source, or a combination thereof. The operator interface may be configured to provide information to the operator related to various machine parameters.

The compacting machine 100 includes one or more compacting members 202 (shown in FIG. 2) provided at each of a first end 108 and a second end 110 of the compacting machine 100. The compacting member 202 may be any known compacting member such as a pneumatic tire, a metallic roller, and so on. The compacting member 202 is rotatably coupled to a support structure 204 (shown in FIG. 2). The support structure 204 extends from the frame 102. In other embodiments, the compacting machine 100 may include only one compacting member 202. For example, in one embodiment, the compacting machine 100 may include the compacting member 202 provided at the first end 108 and one or more ground engaging members (not shown) may be provided at the second end 110 and vice versa. The compacting member 202 is configured to engage the ground surface 201 and provide one or more passes of compaction on the ground surface 201 and will be explained later in detail.

In some embodiments, the compacting member 202 may include a vibratory apparatus (not shown). The vibratory apparatus may be configured to provide vibration pulses on the ground surface 201 during compaction thereof. In other embodiments, the compacting member 202 may be employed as an attachment to a machine such as a skid steer loader, a wheel loader, a track loader, an integrated tool carrier, an asphalt paver, and so on. Additionally, the compacting machine 100 may include a heating system (not shown) provided in association with the compacting member 202. The heating system may be configured to control a temperature of the compacting member 202 during compaction of the ground surface 201.

The compacting machine 100 includes a heat retention system 112, hereinafter referred to as a skirt system 112, provided in association with the compacting member 202. Referring to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the skirt system 112 is illustrated. The skirt system 112 includes a lower boundary 205. The skirt system 112 includes a skirt member 206 pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100. The skirt member 206 includes a first portion 114, a second portion 116 and a third portion 118. The first portion 114 is configured to cover a front side 120 of the compacting member 202. The second portion 116 is configured to cover a left side 122 of the compacting member 202. The third portion 118 is configured to cover a right side 124 of the compacting member 202. In one embodiment, the first, second and third portions 114, 116, 118 may be formed as separate components which are coupled to each other to obtain the skirt member 206. In other embodiments, the first, second and third portions 114, 116, 118 may be formed as a single component. The skirt member 206 is configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member 202 of the compacting machine 100 in order to retain heat of the compacting member 202 therein.

The skirt member 206 includes a bracket portion 208. The bracket portion 208 is movably coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100. More specifically, one end of the bracket portion 208 is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 via a pin joint 209. The bracket portion 208 is configured to support an enclosing portion 210 of the skirt member 206. The enclosing portion 210 is provided extending substantially perpendicular to the bracket portion 208. The enclosing portion 210 is attached to the bracket portion 208 by any known fastening methods such as bolting, riveting, adhesion, and so on. The enclosing portion 210 may be made of any heat retaining material, such as rubber or any other polymeric material.

Further, the skirt member 206 includes an adjustment system 211. The adjustment system 211 includes a linear actuator. More specifically, the adjustment system 211 includes a first linear actuator 212 and a second linear actuator (not shown). The first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator are spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the skirt member 206 may include a single linear actuator or multiple linear actuators as per system design and requirements. The first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator are coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 and operatively coupled to the skirt member 206. The adjustment system 211 is configured to raise or lower the skirt member 206 relative to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 based on an user input and will be explained in more detail later.

For the purpose of explanation, the linear actuator will now be explained with reference to the first linear actuator 212. The first linear actuator 212 may be any linear actuator known in the art such as a pneumatically controlled actuator, a hydraulically controlled actuator, an electromechanically controlled actuator, and so on. The first linear actuator 212 includes a cylinder member 214. The cylinder member 214 is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 via a pin joint 215. The first linear actuator 212 also includes a rod member 216. The rod member 216 is slidingly received within the cylinder member 214. Further, the rod member 216 is pivotally coupled to the skirt member 206. More specifically, the rod member 216 is pivotally coupled to the bracket portion 208 of the skirt member 206 via a pin joint 218.

It should be noted that the second linear actuator may be configured in a manner similar to the first linear actuator 212. Accordingly, the second linear actuator may be any linear actuator known in the art such as a pneumatically controlled actuator, a hydraulically controlled actuator, an electromechanically controlled actuator, and so on. The second linear actuator includes a cylinder member (not shown). The cylinder member is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 via a pin joint (not shown). The second linear actuator also includes a rod member (not shown). The rod member is slidingly received within the cylinder member. Further, the rod member is pivotally coupled to the skirt member 206. More specifically, the rod member is pivotally coupled to the bracket portion 208 of the skirt member 206 via a pin joint (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the skirt system 112 is illustrated. The skirt system 112 includes a controller 302. The controller 302 may embody a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors for receiving signals from components of the skirt system 112. Numerous commercially available microprocessors may be configured to perform the functions of the controller 302. It should be appreciated that the controller 302 may embody a machine microprocessor capable of controlling numerous machine functions. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the controller 302 may additionally include other components and may also perform other functions not described herein.

The skirt system 112 includes an input device 304 provided within the operator cabin 106. In other embodiments, the input device 304 may be located external to the operator cabin 106, such as on the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 and proximate to the skirt system 112. The input device 304 is configured to receive the user input. In one embodiment, the user input may be indicative of lowering the skirt system 112 to a first position “P1” or raising the skirt system 112 to a second position “P2”. In one embodiment, the user input may be indicative of activation or deactivation of the skirt system 112 based on one or more machine parameters. The input device 304 may be any device configured to receive the user input, such as a switch, a joystick, a lever, and so on.

The controller 302 is communicably coupled to the input device 304. Accordingly, the controller 302 is configured to receive the user input from the input device 304. Further, the controller 302 is communicably coupled to the heat retention system 112. Based on the received user input, the controller 302 is configured to regulate and control movement of the heat retention system 112 between the first and second positions “P1”, “P2”. More specifically, the controller 302 is configured to regulate and control movement of the first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator to pivot the skirt member 206 between the first and second positions “P1”, “P2” based on the user input, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the first position “P1”, the skirt member 206 is lowered with respect to the frame 102 or the compacting member 202 of the compacting machine 100 such that the lower boundary 205 is slightly above the ground surface 201. In other embodiments, in the first position “P1”, the lower boundary 205 may be within six inches of the ground surface 201. Further, in the first position “P1”, the skirt member 206 is configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member 202 and, thus, at least partially retain heat of the compacting member 202 therein during compacting of the ground surface 201. One of skill in the art will recognize that the skirt member 206 should be positioned to allow optimal heat retention of the compacting member 202, while ensuring that the skirt member 206 is not too close to the ground surface 201 to allow asphalt to adhere to the skirt member 206.

In the second position “P2”, the skirt member 206 and the lower boundary 205 is raised with respect to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 and the ground surface 201. Further, in the second position “P2”, the compacting member 202 is at least partially exposed such that the lower boundary 205 is above the compacting member 202. Accordingly, the temperature of the compacting member 202 is greater in the first position “P1” than in the second position “P2”. It should be noted that the controller 302 may be further configured to raise or lower the skirt member 206 to one or more intermediate positions between the first and second positions “P1”, “P2” based on system design and requirements.

The controller 302 may be configured to regulate the first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator in different ways. In one embodiment, the user input may be a single press or a single actuation of the input device 304. Accordingly, the controller 302 may be configured to completely raise the skirt member 206 from a current position or the first position “P1” to the second position “P2” or any other intermediate position. Alternatively, the controller 302 may be configured to completely lower the skirt member 206 from the current position or the second position “P2” to the first position “P1” or any other intermediate position. Further, the first linear actuator 212 and/or the second linear actuator may include a sensor (not shown) communicably coupled to the controller 302. The sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of retraction and extension of the rod member 216 with respect to the cylinder member 214.

In another embodiment, the user input may be a continuous press or a continuous actuation of the input device 304. Accordingly, the controller 302 may be configured to raise the skirt member 206 from the current position or the first position “P1” to the second position “P2” or any other intermediate position based on an actuation status of the input device 304. Alternatively, the controller 302 may be configured to lower the skirt member 206 from the current position or the second position “P2” to the first position “P1” or any other intermediate position based on the actuation status of the input device 304. The controller 302 may be configured to stop the movement of the skirt member 206 when the input device 304 may be released regardless of the current position of the skirt member 206.

Additionally or optionally, the controller 302 may be communicably coupled to an indicator device 306 provided in the operator cabin 106. The indicator device 306 may be configured to provide an indication to the operator of the current position of the skirt member 206. The indication may be a text message including numerical, alphabetical and/or symbolic characters, glowing of icons, sound signals, and so on, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the indicator device 306 may be a display screen, a touchscreen, a speaker, and so on.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments, when the compacting machine 100 may include an additional skirt system (not shown) at the second end 110, the additional skirt system may be configured in a manner similar to the skirt system 112. The additional skirt system may include an additional skirt member including one or more additional linear actuators configured in a manner similar to the skirt member 206, the first linear actuator 212 and/or the second linear actuator respectively. The additional skirt system may be regulated by the operator via the input device 304 or an additional input device (not shown) different from the input device 304. Further, the additional skirt system may be controlled via the controller 302 or an additional controller different from the controller 302.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure provides a method of controlling the skirt member 206. The skirt member 206 is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the machine. The skirt member 206 is configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member 202 of the compacting machine 100 in order to retain heat of the compacting member 202 therein. The user input is received from the operator via the input device 304. The received user input is then communicated to the controller 302. Based on the received user input, the controller 302 regulates the first linear actuator 212 and/or the second linear actuator. One end of each of the first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100. The other end of each of the first linear actuator 212 and the second linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the bracket portion 208 of the skirt member 206. Further, the skirt member 206 is pivoted relative to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100. Based on the user input, the skirt member 206 is pivoted between the first position “P1” and the second position “P2”. In the first position “P1”, the skirt member 206 is lowered relative to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 and slightly above the ground surface 201. In the second position “P2”, the skirt member 206 is raised relative to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 and the ground surface 201 such that the compacting member 202 is at least partially exposed.

A desired quality of the compaction process may be achieved when the temperature of the compacting member 202 and/or the ground surface 201 may be maintained within a required range. However, when the compacting member 202 and the ground surface 201 being compacted may be exposed during the compaction process, the temperature of the compacting member 202 and the ground surface 201 may fall due to heat transfer. This may adversely affect the compaction of the ground surface 201. During the compaction process, the skirt system 112 or the heat retention system 112 provides to enclose the compacting member 202 in order to retain as much heat as possible therein. Accordingly, the temperature of the compacting member 202 and/or the ground surface 201 may be maintained within the required ranges. Further, in some embodiments, a gap may be maintained between the ground surface 201 and the heat retention system 112 in order to allow excess heat to escape from within the heat retention system 112 to the surroundings. This may be done to maintain the temperature of the compacting member 202 and/or the ground surface 201 within the required ranges respectively.

The skirt system 112 provides automated lowering and raising of the skirt member 206 to desired positions relative to the frame 102 of the compacting machine 100 as per operational requirements based on the user input. During transportation or maintenance of the compacting machine 100, the skirt system 112 may be raised based on the user input without requiring complete disassembly of the skirt member 206. This may further result in reduced manual labor and improved productivity of the compacting machine 100.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compacting machine comprising: a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface; a heat retention system having a lower boundary; and an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member, wherein the adjustment system comprises a first position and a second position.
 2. The compacting machine of claim 1, wherein in the first position the lower boundary is parallel to the ground surface.
 3. The compacting machine of claim 2, wherein in the first position the heat retention system covers a majority of the compacting member.
 4. The compacting machine of claim 2, wherein in the first position the lower boundary is within six inches of the ground surface.
 5. The compacting machine of claim 1, wherein in the second position the lower boundary is above the ground surface.
 6. The compacting machine of claim 5, wherein in the second position a portion of the lower boundary is above the compacting member.
 7. The compacting machine of claim 1, wherein a temperature of the compacting member is greater in the first position than in the second position.
 8. The compacting machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with the adjustment system that controls movement of the heat retention system between the first position and the second position.
 9. A compacting machine comprising: a frame; a compacting member coupled to the frame; a skirt member pivotally coupled to the frame, the skirt member configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein; and a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine and operatively coupled to the skirt member, wherein the linear actuator is configured to raise or lower the skirt member relative to the frame of the compacting machine based on an user input.
 10. The compacting machine of claim 9, wherein the linear actuator comprises: a cylinder member pivotally coupled to the frame of the compacting machine; and a rod member slidingly received within the cylinder member, the rod member pivotally coupled to the skirt member at an end thereof.
 11. The compacting machine of claim 9, wherein the compacting machine further comprises: an input device configured to receive the user input; and a controller communicably coupled to the input device, the controller configured to regulate the linear actuator based on the user input.
 12. The compacting machine of claim 11, wherein the input device comprises a switch.
 13. The compacting machine of claim 9, wherein the skirt member comprises: a bracket portion movably coupled to the frame of the compacting machine; and an enclosing portion extending from the bracket portion, the enclosing portion made from heat insulating material.
 14. The compacting machine of claim 9, wherein the skirt member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the skirt member is within six inches of a compacting surface, and wherein in the second position the skirt member is raised from the compacting surface.
 15. The compacting machine of claim 14, wherein the linear actuator pivots the skirt member between the first position and the second position based on the user input.
 16. The compacting machine of claim 9, wherein the linear actuator comprises: a first linear actuator coupled to the frame, the first linear actuator communicably coupled to a controller; and a second linear actuator coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the first linear actuator, the second linear actuator communicably coupled to the controller.
 17. A method of controlling a skirt member of a compacting machine, the skirt member being pivotally coupled to a frame of the compacting machine and configured to at least partially enclose a compacting member of the compacting machine in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein, the method comprising: receiving an user input; communicating the user input to a controller; regulating via the controller a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine based on the user input; and pivoting the skirt member via the linear actuator relative to the frame of the compacting machine.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: pivoting the skirt member between a first position and a second position based on the user input, wherein in the first position the skirt member covers a majority of the compacting member, and wherein in the second position at least a portion of the skirt member is above the compacting member.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising: pivoting the skirt member between a first position and a second position based on the user input, wherein in the first position the skirt member is within six inches of a compacting surface, and wherein in the second position the skirt member is raised from the compacting surface. 